Exercise apparatus and method for exercising

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus used for exercise and more specifically musculoskeletal physical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. The exercise apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, uses a combination of weight, a structure adapted for weight training by a person, and a means to suspend the weight wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement that results in increased joint strength and decreased joint pain during and after physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/941,660 filed Nov. 16, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference as if fully cited herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to anexercise apparatus. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention relate to exercise apparatus for musculoskeletalphysical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. Exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention particularly, but not exclusively, use acombination of weights, a structure to secure the weights thereto, and ameans to suspend the weights wherein the suspended weight is adapted tohave motion in the x, y, and z axis during an exercise movement thatresults in decreased joint pain during physical therapy andrehabilitation exercises.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Physical therapy is an important component to restore, maintain anddevelop normal and healthy movement and functional ability throughoutthe lifespan of people and populations. As the average lifespan ofhumans continually increases, physical therapy is becoming more and moreimportant in today's society as a necessary component for restoring,maintaining and developing the musculoskeletal health of persons.Physical therapy exercises strive to restore, maintain or develop anindividual's optimal level of muscular strength, endurance,coordination, flexibility and/or mobility. The motivation for people toparticipate in physical therapy that will maintain and/or improve theirmovement and function may be from the process from injury, of aging ordisease. Some of the main goals of physical therapy are to identify andmaximize the potential ability for maximum movement in any person,within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment andrehabilitation.

There are many benefits from when a person enhances their musclestrength, coordination and flexibility from physical therapy. Some ofthe key benefits of physical therapy are: increased and maintainedmuscle strength and endurance, restored and increased joint range ofmotion, increased coordination, decreased pain, decreased muscle spasmand plasticity, decreased swelling and inflammation of joints, promotedhealing of soft tissue lesions, prevented contracture and deformity oflimbs, alleviated walking problems, and decreased stress. These are buta few of the benefits of physical therapy.

Consequently, it can be understood that there is a need for an improvedapparatus for physical therapy and joint rehabilitation. An apparatus isneeded that will allow a patient to perform multiple differentexercises, where the patient experiences increased exploitation ofstabilization muscles along with decreased swelling and inflammation ofjoints. An apparatus is further needed which is portable for ease oftransportation and use. Also, an apparatus is needed that is simple toassemble as well as simple to use by a therapist or patient.Additionally, an apparatus is coveted that is aesthetically pleasing. Anexemplary apparatus of the present invention may satisfy some or all ofthese needs.

Further features of examples of the invention will be described or willbecome apparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the exemplary embodiments of anexercise apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an elevate end view of one of the exemplary embodiments of anexercise apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the exemplary embodiments of anexercise apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1, here is one example of how the invention may bearranged. In one situation, the lifting apparatus is shown where thereis a barbell 100 with an inner portion diameter 102 and an outer portiondiameter 104, where a weight 106 may be securedly attached to the outerportion 104 by an elastic band 108. The inner portion 102 of the barbell100 is fiberglass tubing and the outer portion 104 is solid wood. Inother embodiments, the inner portion 102 may be made of any number ofmaterials that are strong enough to both support tensile and compressiveforces along with having lightweight, flexible and high fatiguecharacteristics, including, but not limited to the materials of:polyvinyl chloride, carbon fiber, wood, metals and other suitableplastics. Also, in other embodiments, the outer portion 104 may be madeof any number of materials strong enough to support suspending theweight and also being lightweight, such as, but not limited to thematerials of: fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, metals and plastics. Inone example, the overall weight of the barbell 100 is preferred to bevery lightweight compared to the mass of the weight 106. The higher theratio of the weight 106 mass to the barbell 100 mass, the greater themotion produced and preferred for ideal rehabilitation purposes.

The motion produced in the x, y, and z axis may be either slight orpronounced and may appear to be chaotic, erratic or unpredictable.Various factors including the materials of the structure and means forsuspending the weight, the amount of weight used, etc., may affect theamount of motion that occurs while the user moves the apparatus.However, if one skilled in the art were to have the right parametersregarding the motion of the structure from the user, the materialproperties, shape and size of the apparatus, etc., one skilled in theart may be able to make a close prediction of the actual motion of theapparatus that occurs.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment, the outerportion 104 may have perpendicular slots 110 that divide the outerportion into equal quadrants. The slots 110 run from the end of thebarbell 100 to a length not as long as the outer portion 104. The slots110 are large enough to allow an elastic band 108 to be slid intoposition in the slots 110, but still small enough to restrict themovement of the elastic band 108 after the elastic band 108 ispositioned into the slots 110. Although one embodiment usesperpendicular slots 110 inside the outer portion 104 of a barbell 100,this should not limit the numerous other ways that the elastic band 108may be secured to the barbell 100 or equivalent structure. Anotherembodiment is where the outer portion 104 of the barbell 100 has noslots 110 and the elastic band 108 is positioned directly around theouter portion 104. A third embodiment is where an additional apparatusprotrudes or suspends from the outer portion 104 of the barbell 100,where a C-shaped clip or other apparatus may be attached to theadditional apparatus so that the elastic bands are easily secured orclipped into and out of the additional apparatus, much like aquick-release. Yet another embodiment is where the slots 110 runparallel through the outer portion 104 of the barbell 100. In otherembodiments, the slots 110 may be able to pass through the barbell 100or similar structure at many other different geometries, as long as theelastic band 108 or other means for suspending the weight 106 are ableto be held within the slots 110.

Referring to FIG. 3, here is another example how the invention may bearranged. The lifting apparatus is shown where there is a boot 120 wherea weight 106 may be securedly attached by an elastic band 108. The boot120 securedly attaches to the user's foot and lower leg by the use ofstrap 118 attached to the boot. The strap 118 is placed through a fixedloop 120 located on the boot 120 and brought over upon itself and issecured with a material such as the type marketed under the trademarkVelcro on the strap 118. The boot 120 may have metal protrusions 122where the elastic band 108 is attached thereto. In other embodiments,the protrusions 122 may be made of numerous other materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the elastic band108 may directly connect the structure to the weight 106. The elasticband 108 provides much of the motion desired from the lifting apparatus.In one commercial embodiment, the elastic band 108 used is commerciallyproduced by Jump-Stretch Inc., found at www.jumpstretch.com. The elasticband 108 produced by Jump-Stretch Inc. used in one commercial embodimentis forty inches long and ½ inch wide. Other embodiments may use othermeans for suspending the weight 106 that causes a motion similar to themotion caused by a weight 106 being suspended by an elastic band 108. Inone exemplary embodiment, the higher the elasticity of the means forsuspending the weight, the more erratic, chaotic and unpredictable themotion produced appears and the more the motion may be preferred forideal rehabilitation purposes because the motion increases the strengthof the joint stabilizing muscles. When the motion of the apparatusdiscontinues, the weight 106 suspended and the elastic band 108 returnto the original suspended position of the weight 106 before the motionoccurred.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, the weight 106 used iscommercially available from a multitude of different vendors. One suchcommercial vendor is Iron Woody Fitness Equipment, found atwww.ironwoodyfitness.com. The weight 106 is a commercial steel-forgedplate that comes in universal sizes. The weight 106 is vinyl coated forrust protection and aesthetics. Further, the weight 106 iscolor-coordinated to indicate the mass of the weight 106. In anotherembodiment, the weight 106 is a kettlebell that also comes in knownuniversal sizes and may be vinyl-coated and color-coordinated. Otherembodiments may use other similar or otherwise suitable weight 106.

From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the exemplaryembodiments disclosed provide a novel apparatus used for exercising andmore specifically, rehabilitation purposes. The apparatus may have manybenefits. The apparatus may allow a user to perform multiple differentknown exercises normally used during lifting and rehabilitation. Theseexercises include, but are not limited to: curls, bench press,good-mornings, skull-crushers, upright rows, leg curls, leg extensions,etc. Further, the apparatus may exploit the stabilization muscles of thejoints to be built up and rehabilitated which results in enhancedrehabilitation. Further, the apparatus may reduce the swelling andinflammation of the joints during and after performing theaforementioned exercises when compared to similar exercise equipmentcommercially available. Additionally, the apparatus may be portable forease of transportation and use. Also, the apparatus may be simple toassemble as well as simple to use by a therapist or patient. Moreover,an example of the apparatus may be aesthetically pleasing.

While certain embodiments of the present invention are described indetail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limitedby such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:

1. A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising: a weight;a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter,the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting offiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood; the barbell adapted_tosecure the weight thereto for weight training by a person; and anelastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell, whereinthe suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y, and z axesduring an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.
 2. Thelifting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for fasteningthe weight to the elastomeric member for suspending the weight from thebarbell.
 3. The lifting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means forfastening the weight is substantially C-shaped.
 4. The lifting apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a fastener to secure the elastomericmember for suspending the weight from the barbell.
 5. The liftingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member for suspending theweight is an elastic band.
 6. The lifting apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths.
 7. The liftingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the barbell is adapted to be gripped by aperson.
 8. A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising: aweight; a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portiondiameter, the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the groupconsisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, the barbelladapted to secure the weight thereto for weight training by a person;and an elastomeric band for suspending the weight from the barbell,wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and zaxes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic. 9.The lifting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a means forfastening the weight to the elastomeric band for suspending the weightfrom the barbell.
 10. The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein themeans for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped.
 11. Thelifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the elastic band is of differingtensions and lengths.
 12. The lifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein thebarbell is adapted to be gripped by a person.
 13. The lifting apparatusof claim 11, wherein the outer portion has perpendicular slots thatdivide the outer portion into equal quadrants, the slots running fromthe end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion. 14.A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising: a weight; abarbell with an inner portion diameter of first material chosen from thegroup consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, and anouter portion diameter of second material chosen from the groupconsisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber or wood, the barbelladapted to secure the weight thereto, the outer portion havingperpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into quadrants, theslots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as theouter portion; and an elastomeric member for suspending the weight fromthe structure, wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion inthe x, y and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic anderratic.